Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics open in Verona

The Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics got underway on Friday with a series of rhythmic performances that celebrated uniqueness and participation, during a memorable opening ceremony in Verona.

Under the theme "Life in Motion," the opening ceremony took place at the 2,000-year-old Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater and UNESCO World Heritage Site, less than two weeks after the Winter Olympics came to an end at the same site.

The gala highlighted contemporary arts like video design, music, and choreography. As the first geographically spread-out Winter Paralympics, the parade of nations also featured a dispersed format, with live-streams showing athletes taking part at other competition clusters.

This edition marks 50 years since the Winter Paralympics made its debut in 1976, and the first time for the Games to return to Italy since Turin 2006. China has sent 70 athletes to compete in 71 events across six sports. This is the country's largest overseas delegation for the Winter Paralympics, as well as its widest range of participation in events.

Giovanni Malago, the president of the Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee, welcomed the athletes in his speech. And Italian President Sergio Mattarella then declared the game open.

The ceremony presents a modern dance inspired by William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet," which was set in Verona, with the performance telling a story of love overcoming differences.

The Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics will feature 79 events across six sports - para Alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.